Paper technologies take spotlight in new report

The numerous and complex anti-counterfeiting solutions that are used in passport pages have been highlighted in a new white paper released by Gemalto.

The paper, Why We Spend More Time Thinking About Paper (And You Should, Too!), explains and explores how paper-based security features are thwarting attempts to tamper with or counterfeit passports.

From the cover to end pages and visa entries, the paper details the host of proven techniques are available that will help to deter even the most determined and resourceful criminals.

““Truly secure passport design is very much the sum of its parts, and that still includes a significant paper element. Above all else, what we have aimed to emphasize in this article is that features such as end and visa pages are still high on the hit list for counterfeiters. Equally, there are a multitude of security tools at the disposal of passport printers and their customers,” writes Gemalto.

In a section on end pages, the firm notes that these play a critical role in protecting the integrity of the whole passport booklet.

“A technique known as Intaglio printing provides another powerful security tool. At Gemalto, it typically incorporates latent images that can only be seen when viewed at particular angles.”

In other sections the paper also looks at Moiré movement print effects, cross-page design and UV features, as well as watermarks, stitching and cover page technology.